Irish Dairy Farmers Call for Action Amidst Low Milk Prices and High Costs

The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) has expressed concern over the sustained low milk prices and high input costs affecting dairy farmers. The association's Dairy Committee chair, Noel Murphy, emphasized that farmers are not seeking empathy but rather a practical plan to address the issue. He called for cooperation between the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, co-operatives, and EU officials to tackle what he described as the "collapsed milk price."

Murphy suggested that an EU-wide Voluntary Milk Supply Reduction Scheme could be a viable solution. This type of measure was previously implemented by the European Commission in 2016 in response to market pressures after the abolition of milk quotas. However, Minister Heydon stated that no formal proposal for such a scheme has been presented by the European Commission to date.

Murphy urged Minister Heydon to leverage his position as the chair of the EU Farm Council to advocate for a voluntary reduction scheme, which he believes could rapidly elevate milk prices. He also criticized the current milk price paid by Irish processors, arguing that it contributes to the problem.

According to Murphy, the financial supports provided by co-operatives are ultimately funded by farmers themselves. He called for greater transparency from milk processors regarding their market returns and suggested that profits made during 2025 should be used to raise farmer milk prices to a realistic level. Murphy also pointed out that while there is awareness of pressures on butter fat prices, there has been significant improvement in protein and whey prices, yet farmers have not seen these benefits reflected in their earnings.

The ICMSA has been vocal in advocating for measures that would provide immediate relief to farmers while also ensuring a sustainable long-term strategy for the dairy industry.